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Patek Philippe, a little history

Patek Philippe started as a watch and clock manufacturer based in the Vallée de Joux. An area that is known as the home of many watch brands. Antoni Patek formed “Patek, Czapek & Cie” with Franciszek Czapek. However their co-op ended in 1845 and the business was renamed to Patek & Cie. During that period French watchmaker Adrien Philippe joined and in 1851 the company was named Patek Philippe & Cie. When Antoni Patek died in 1877 his position was taken over by a son-in-law of Adrien Philippe. The company came in the hands of the Stern family in 1932 and it still is to date.

Makers of 1 of the most expensive watches of all time, over $31,000.000.

 n the 1st of May 1839, Patek along with Czapek and Thomas Moreau (his wife’s uncle) formed Patek, Czapek & Cie – Fabricants à Genève; little did Patek know that this was the beginning of a lasting legacy.

The company was successful from the beginning, but increasing discord between Patek and Czapek inevitably meant that the two men eventually had to part ways. On a lookout for a new partner, Patek met gifted French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe at the French Industrial Exposition of 1844 in Paris.

History of Patek Philippe

Founded: 1839 as Patek, Czapek & Cie. and in 1851 as Patek Philippe & Cie.

Founding place: Geneva, Switzerland

Founded by: Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe

Current headquarters: Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland

Owned by: Privately held

Official name: Patek Philippe SA

1812 – Birth of Antoine Norbert de Patek

1834 – Patek moves to Switzerland

1839 – Patek starts making pocket watches in Geneva with Franciszek Czapek

1839 – (1st of May) Patek, Czapek & Cie. is founded

1844 – Czapek withdraws after increasing disagreement

1844 – Name changes to Patek & Co.

1845 – (15th of May) Adrien Philippe enters

1851 – (1st of January) Names changes to Patek Philippe & Co.

1851 – Czapek establishes Czapek & Co.

1868 – Production of their first wrist watch

1876 – (13th of November) That first wrist watch is sold to the Hungarian Countess Koscowicz

1891 – Adrien Philippe hands over management to his son Joseph Emile Philippe and Francois Antoine Conty

1901 – Company becomes public and is named Ancienne Manufacture d’Horlogerie Patek Philippe & Cie. S.A.

1932 – Patek Philippe & Co. is bought by Charles and Jean Stern1935 – Enters the American market

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